Control device



1942- 1.. A. KEMPTON CONTROL DEVICE Filed March 25. 1941 Inventor: Leslie A. Kempbon, b5 WW6 Hi5 Attorne Patented Nov. 10, 1942 2,301,704 coNTnor. nnvroc Leslie A. Kempton. Chicago, Ill., assignor to Edison General Electric Appliance Co. Inc., a corporation of New York Application March 25, 1941, Serial No. 385,068

ZClaims.

This invention relates to a control device and more particularly to a multi-position control switch and has for its object the provision of a new and improved multi-position switch which is simple, compact, and rugged in construction and can be manufactured at low cost.

While not limited thereto this invention relates particularly to a new and improved multiposition control switch adapted to be mounted in the corner mullion of a dishwashing apparatus and to be electrically connected to the various electrically operated elements of the dishwashing apparatus such as the motor driven fluid circulating means, the inlet valve means, and the drain valve means so that in each posi tion of the multi-position' switch these elements will be controlled to produce the various steps in the washing cycle of the dishwashing apparatus. The circuit connections for the improved multi-position switch of this invention when ap plied to thus control a dishwashing apparatus are fully described and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 370,402, filed December 16, 1940 and assigned to the assignee of this invention.

It is among the specific objects of this invention to provide a simple and compact multiposition switch which is adapted to be mounted in a relatively small space, for example the cor ner mullion of a dishwashing apparatus.

It is a further specific object of this invention to provide a new and improved cam operator for a multi-position switch which comprises a unitary element having means for actuating the switch contacts, means for indexing the various switch positions, and means for operating the single element.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will appear as the following detailed description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize this invention will be set forth in the claims appended to and forming a part of this specification.

For a more complete understanding of this invention reference should be had to the accompanying drawing in which Fig. l is a fragmentary' front elevation of a dishwashing apparatus showing the improved multi-position switch of this invention mounted in the corner mullion thereof; Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1 and looking in direction of arrows; Fig. 3 is a left-side elevation of the multi-position switch construction shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a right-side elevation in Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view showing details of construction of the contact actuating side of the improved cam operator of this invention; and Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing details of construction of the indexing side of the cam operator of this invention.

Referring now to the drawing, and particularly to Figs. 2 through 6, it will be observed that the multi-position control switch of this invention comprises a substantially rectangular frame made up of the angular side bars l0 and II which are held in spaced parallel relation by means of the T-shaped cross-bar l2 which is spot-welded at its ends to the side bars. Welded to one end of the side bars is a mounting plate I3. Extending between the outer end of the T-shaped bracket l2 and the middle of the mounting plate l3, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, is a pin l4 upon which is rotatably supported a cam operating member l5 preferably formed oi some suitable insulating material, such as a phenol condensation product. It will be observed that the cam member is mounted so that the portion I6 thereof lies within the rectangular frame, whereas the portion I'l thereof lies outside and beyond theframe and integrally formed on the portion H is a projecting knob l8 for manually moving the cam member.

Riveted'to the end of the side bars opposite the end to which the mounting plate I3 is welded is a supporting plate IQ of some suitable insulating material such as a phenol condensation product. Secured to the plate I9 is a plurality of spaced terminal members 20, 2|, and 22 from which extend a plurality of arms 23, 24, and 25 made of some suitable conducting resilient material such as phosphor bronze. It will be observed that the left ends of the arms 2325, as viewed in Fig. 3, are firmly secured to the plate l9 under the terminals 20-22 respectively by means of the rivets 2B. The opposite ends of the arms 2325 are free .to move and project into the frame so as to overlie the portion l6 oi the cam member l5. Mounted on the arms 23-45 near the free end thereof are the movable contact elements 2l29 which are positioned to cooperate respectively with the fixed contact elements Bil-32 to perform a circuit controlling function in accordance with the movement of the arms. These fixed contact elements 30-32 are mounted in spaced relation on a metallic contact plate 33 which is riveted to an insulatof the multi-position switch construction shown m rip 4 S ured at its ends to the side bars the terminal plate 34 is provided with a terminal screw 35.

The free ends of the arms 23-25 are adapted to be actuated in accordance with rotation oi the cam member 15. For. this purpose the ad- Jacent side of portion [8 of the cam member lying within the frame is recessed to define a pair of circumferentially spaced abutments 21 and 38 which, in the position shown in Fig. 3, are adapted to engage the contact arms 23 and 25 to hold the respective contacts controlled thereby out of engagement and a third abutment 38 radially spaced from the pair of abutments 31 and 38 and adapted to engage the slightly longer middle contact arm 24 to hold the contacts 28 and 3| out of engagement. As shown in greater detail in Fig. 5, the abutments are preferably integrally formed in the cam memher by milling or molding a recess in the side of the cam i5 near the inner edge of the portion 18. This recess has a depth such that when the ends of the arms 23-25 are moved ofi their respective abutments the respective contacts associated with the arms will be moved to their closed circuit position.

In the illustrated embodiment of this invention the multi-position control switch has three positions but it will be understood that more control arms could be provided and the portion ii of the cam designed so as to provide a switch having a greater number of positions. Considering the operation of the switch illustrated, it will be observed that in the position shown in Fig. 3 all of the cooperating contacts are out of engagement to define the "ofi position for the switch. When the cam member is moved upwardly from the position shown in Fig. 3 to a position in which the knob I8 lies substantially horizontal, the contact fingers 23 and 25 move on their respective abutments 31 and 33 so that the pairs of contacts 21 and 30 and 2S and 32 respectively controlled thereby are moved to their closed circuit position. No change takes place in the position of the contact arm 24 on the other hand for, while it is moved out of engagement with its abutment 29, the abutment 31 is moved thereunder so that the cooperating contacts 28 and 3| controlled thereby are maintained in their open circuit position. The abutments 31 and 39 overlap a small amount so as to insure that the contacts 28 and 3| are not closed in moving from the first to the second position of the cam. Upon movement of the cam from its second position to its third or uppermost position, no change occurs in the position of the contact arm 23 and the contacts 21 and 3!] controlled thereby remain in their closed circuit position. The position of contact arms 24 and 25 on the other hand is changed and the contacts controlled thereby are actuated to different circuit controlling positions. Upon the initial movement of the cam, the abutment 39 is moved out from under the arm 24 permitting the arm to move downwardly to close contacts 23 and 2|. Upon further movement of the cam, the arm 25 moves up on abutment 31 to open the contacts 29 and 32.

It will thus be observed that in moving the cam member from the position shown in Fig. 3 to an uppermost position three different circuit positions for the switch means controlled by the arms 23, 24 and 25 is provided. In applying this improved control switch to a dishwashing apparatus, the various electrical elements of the dishwashing apparatus are electrically connected to the control switch so that an ofi," wash," and rinse" position is produced by the control. For a more complete description of the various electrical connections to be made to a control switch such as disclosed in this application in order to control a dishwashing apparatus, reference should be made to my above referred to copending application. 7

In order to positively position the cam member l5 in each of its three control positions, two sets of hills and valleys 4| positioned on opposite diameters are provided on the side of the cam member opposite the contact arm actuating side thereof. As shown in Fig. 6, each set includes three valleys 42 connected by sloping walls defining the hills 4!. Arranged to ride in each set of hills and valleys is a roller 44. These rollers are rotatably supported in a resilient yoke 44 which is mounted in fixed relation on the pin l4 by means 01 the slot 43 in the end of the pin and the bar 41 on the yoke. The height of the rollers is such that when the rollers are in the valleys 42 the resilient yoke is stressed so that a force is exerted on the rollers tending to hold them in the lowermost portion oi the valley. It will be apparent that as the cam member is rotated from the lowermost position shown in Fig. 4, the roller means will roll from one valley to the next over the intervening hill or abutment portion. Due to the biasing eiIect oi the resilient yoke 43 the rollers will snap into each succeeding valley so as to positively bring and hold the cam member to its next succeeding circuit controlling position.

As previously stated, the control device of this invention is particularly adapted for controlling the electrical elements of a dishwashing apparatus so as to produce a cycle or operation which includes a position in which all of the elements are deenergized, a second position in which the elements are energized so as to perform a washing operation, and a third position in which the elements are energized to perform a rinse operation. The various electrical connections to be made to the improved control device 01' this invention so as to produce such a dishwashing cycle are more fully described in my above reierred to copending application.

In applying the control device of this invention to a dishwashing apparatus it is particularly adapted to be mounted in the upper portion of the corner mullion oi the casing 43 for the dishwashing apparatus, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Referring to these figures, 43 represents the corner mullion and 50 represents the inner wall of the dishwashing vat which is provided with a fiange 5|. Provided in the flange II is an elongated opening 52 through which the contact arm end of the control switch is adapted to extend. Provided in the corner mullion 40 is a slot 53 through which the projecting knob portion I1 0! the cam is adapted to extend. It will be observed therefore that the knob II for the cam operator lies outside of the dishwashing casing so as to be easily accessible for operation.

In mounting the control switch in position the mounting bracket I3 is provided with a fiange '4 having openings 55 through which bolts 53 are adapted to pass for fastening this portion 01' the mounting bracket to the flange ii of the dishwashing vat. Provided at the front of the mounting bracket are a pair of spaced flanges 51 having threaded openings 58 which are adapted to threadedly receive a pair of bolts 59 which extend through the corner mullion from the outside thereof. Thus the control switch is firmly secured in position in the dishwashing casing and it is to be observed that due to its compact construction it may be mounted in the relatively small space provided in the corner mullion of the dishwasher.

From the foregoing detailed description it will be observed that there is provided in accordance with this invention a new and improved control device which is simple and compact in construction and is susceptible of being manufactured at a relatively low cost. In particular it is to be observed that I have provided in a control switch a single cam member having surfaces on one side which cooperate with contact fingers for operation thereof, surfaces on the opposite side which cooperate with the indexing mechanism, and a projecting portion which serves as an operating handle that indicates the position of the control.

While this invention has been described as applied to a dishwashing apparatus for controlling the various electrically operated devices of such an apparatus, it is to be understood that this is merely one application of the control switch of this invention and that the reference to a dlshwashing apparatus is merely by way of illustration of an application that may be made of this improved switch. It is obvious that other applications can be made, particularly where a simple, compact, rugged, and low cost multiposition control is desired.

While a single modification of this invention has been illustrated and described in detail, it is obvious that many other modifications may be made, and it is intended in the appended claims to cover all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure b Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A multi-position control switch comprising a substantially rectangular supporting frame, a mounting plate extending across one end of said frame, a unitary cam member rotatably mounted in said mounting plate so as to have one portion projecting into said frame and a second porits ends, a plurality of fixed contacts on said contact plate, a supporting plate mounted on the opposite end of said frame, a plurality of movable contact arms, means for mounting said contact arms at one end on said supporting plate so that they lie substantially parallel and extend into said frame an amount sufficient to permit their engagement by said one portion of said cam member, contact means on each of said contant arms adapted to engage a fixed contact on said contact plate so as to perform a controlling function, means on said one portion of said cam member for actuating said contact arms in accordance with the movement of said cam member to different control positions, and means on the side of said cam member opposite said last mentioned means for positively indexing each of the control positions of said multi-position switch.

2. A multi-position control switch comprising a rectangular shaped frame, a mounting plate supported on one end of said frame, a cam member rotatably supported on said mounting plate so as to have one portion projecting into said frame and a second portion projecting beyond said mounting plate, an operating knob on said second portion, a plurality of fixed contacts mounted in said frame adjacent the inner edge of said one portion of said cam member, a plurality of contact arms mounted in spaced parallel relation in said frame, said arms having a fixed end lying adjacent said end of said frame remote from said mounting plate and an end free to move overlying said portion of said cam member lying within said frame, a contact mounted on each of said contact arms adjacent said movable end so as to cooperate with a respective one of said fixed contacts to perform a circuit controlling function, a plurality of radial and circumferentially spaced abutments formed in said one portion of said cam member and adapted to engage said overlying ends of said contact arms to cause actuation of said cooperating contacts to perform a circuit controlling function upon rotation of said cam member, indexing means mounted in fixed relation on said mounting plate, and diametrically spaced sets of hills and valleys on said cam member adapted to be engaged for said indexing means to positively position said cam in each of its controlling positions, said hills and valleys being formed in said cam member on the side opposite the side in which said abutments are formed.

LESLIE A. KEMPTON. 

